Michigan Jobless Rate Advances in November

On a seasonally adjusted basis, Michigan’s jobless rate rose by two-tenths of a percentage point to 4.8 percent in November. Michigan’s October unemployment rate was revised downwards by one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.6 percent.

During November, the national unemployment rate inched up by one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.2 percent. This rate was six-tenths of a percentage point below Michigan’s rate. Since November 2023, the statewide rate advanced by 0.7 percentage points, while the U.S. rate rose by 0.5 percentage points. In the U.S., November statewide unemployment rates ranged from 1.9 percent in South Dakota to 5.7 percent in Nevada. Similar to trends seen last month, Michigan was tied with South Carolina for having the fifth highest jobless rate in the nation at 4.8 percent.

In November, Michigan’s labor force was unchanged, while the U.S. workforce edged down by 0.1 percent. Over the month, total statewide employment inched down by 0.1 percent, which was comparable to the national employment decline (-0.2 percent). Michigan’s number of unemployed advanced by 3.8 percent in November, while U.S. unemployment levels rose by 2.3 percent over the same period.

Since November 2023, Michigan’s labor force inched up slightly by 0.2 percent, while the U.S. workforce observed an increase of similar magnitude (+0.1 percent). Over the year, total statewide employment fell by 0.5 percent, while national employment levels decreased by 0.4 percent. Michigan’s number of unemployed jumped by 17.3 percent over the year, 3.2 percentage points above the total U.S. unemployment advance (+14.1 percent). 

Michigan’s unemployment rate rose for the second consecutive month in November.

Source: Local Area Unemployment Statistics, Michigan Center for Data and Analytics